Halifax man says Jamaica trip won at Robin’s Donuts costly

Robert Cave stands in front of Robin’s Donuts on North Street in Halifax on Monday. Cave says he must pay $1,000 in fees after winning a trip for two to Jamaica in a contest put on by the national chain of coffee shops. (TED PRITCHARD / Staff)

Winning the grand prize in the Robin’s Donuts Sip to Win contest has left Halifax businessman Robert Cave feeling decidedly unlucky.

Earlier this spring, the coffee addict looked under the rim of his double-double to find he’d won a trip for two to Jamaica.

“I was as happy as could be,” said Cave, a demolition business owner and boxing promoter.

But when he tried to redeem his prize, his warm feelings cooled drastically.

He has been told he’ll have to pay close to $1,000 in taxes and fees if he wants to go.

“If you win a free something, it’s supposed to be free,” a frustrated Cave said.

The contest rules do mention the winner has to pay taxes, including a departure tax, a $4 per night tax to the Jamaican government plus a US$15 per night service charge.

The prize is administered by Red Tag/Total Vacations and has a retail value of $2,500, the coffee chain’s website says.

The trip for two is for seven nights at the Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay and includes all food and drinks at the hotel.

According to TripAdvisor, the resort ranks 19th out of 63 hotels in Montego Bay and 72 per cent of reviews give it a thumbs-up.

The most recent reviewer posted: “Most memorable family vacation to date.”

Cave’s chances of winning the grand prize were roughly one in a million. But after beating the odds, Cave says he won’t be cashing in the prize if he has to pay. Instead, he’s been trying to fight Robin’s Donuts and Red Tag.